Just want to say, there are some cool elements there with the window seat, the fireplace, the stairs, the raised foyer.

How do you use the room? At all?

Hi bpathhome,

We use it mostly in the winter to be near the fire. If it had better lighting, I think it would be a nice place to read,knit etc. But, the lighting is cans in the ceiling or that one lamp. So, it's lacking in atmosphere unless the fire is on.

Thanks for your comments on the elements you liked :)

I'd try moving the fern to the empty corner by the window seat, then there'd be room for a floor lamp by the love seat. Do you have any artwork containing the coral/persimmon accent color that you could use where the framed print is hanging now?. I'd also remove the topiaries (unless they are live plants). Finally, I'd love to see a big (Square?) tufted leather ottoman in place of the coffee table.

btw, I love the painting of the girl below the stairs!

I love, love, love how you've added pops of orange (red?) around the room! The eye travels from one to the other, and the continuity is great. The boldness of the orange is a great foil for the more neutral furniture. I agree, the lamp doesn't work that well with the room. Perhaps something with an orange base in a more Contemporary design:

The biggest improvement I'd suggest, and you really don't need much at all, would be a large painting hung over the fireplace. Something that would again, pick up the orange accent color, but not necessarily be some Modern streak of orange . . . unless that is something you'd like yourselves. Or, a subtly orange (or bold) mat on a painting or print there might work, too.

I also think that the candlesticks on the hearth are too small. Two or three taller, more substantial, dark ones might make more of an impact. Something like these, for example, that I just found on Etsy:

I wouldn't put a bunch of candlesticks by the fireplace, but that's just me. If you want flame, light a fire, lol! Again, just my taste, it's not wrong if you think I am full of it. Also, what do you use the ceramic bowl that is on the coffee table for? If it doesn't have a use, I'd remove it, or put something fun in it, even if it is just pot pourri or some scented pinecones! It is really too bad that there's no reading lights in there, because reading by the fire is super fun. That's what I would put in that odd corner, a small bookshelf. I have the same issue in the family room that I have inherited. I love reading but it's hard to put reading lights where I need them because of lack of outlets. Short of hiring an electrician to put some in the floor, which would be a major pain, I have to work around it. You've really got a challenge to make that space usable. What's directly overhead in the middle of the room? Some kind of lighting I imagine. I'd put a big ole wagon wheel chandelier in there. Well, not really, but something big and circular and glowy. I dunno why, but I kinda hate pot lights.

Thank you for all the great feedback so far!

I have made some changes based on your comments.

I moved the palm to the empty corner. I'm thinking the scale is wrong? I should buy a bigger plant maybe?

I removed the faux topiaries:

I moved a floor lamp to next to the fireplace. I wouldn't use this lamp, this is just a stand in, to get an idea. What do you think? Would it work? Is that size right?

Also, I hear what you guys are saying about a potential fireplace hanging. You may not have seen it in the other pics, but there is a kind of wedge design in the stone that protrudes a few inches from the surround stone. I'm thinking that means I can't hang something there?

Alas, there are only pot lights in the ceiling, so no option of hanging a great light fixture. But I love that idea! Adding one is probably not likely.

LynnNM, thank you for your compliments on the orange accents. That was my way of trying to liven it up!

StratfordRoad, Thanks for the feedback on the "painting of the girl under the stairs". It's actually a photo on canvas, taken by me (I'm a photographer). It's intentionally blurred. Glad you like it :)

Stratfordroad, I love your idea of a large image with the orange accent color in place of the current frame. Maybe a quite large canvas abstract oil painting with hints of plum and olive too (I paint as a hobby and now I'm picturing all sorts of cool ideas!)

I love this room, it has calm styling with a burst of colour. I'd add a lamp shade like this to both the table and standered lamp.

I'd paint the room a lighter, warm color. Something pulled from the fireplace.

The palm isn't going to thrive there unless it is fake. It will do well by any of your windows. You could hang a big clock or piece of metal art over you fireplace and not detract from the overall look, which is freakin' awesome! Even a tapestry would look good if it was colorful and the right size so didn't hide the architectural feature.

Laurie Gordon - Thank you! I love that lampshade! May I ask where you found it? I will work on taking away the small pieces and finding larger scale pieces.

Nosoccermom - thank you. I've been wondering if I should move away from the gray-green that's on the walls. I like your idea of lighter. I was afraid that the sofas are too bulky and heavy for a lighter color though (The fabric is a heavy tapestry type fabric). Not sure if that makes sense?

pinkmountain - you're right about the palm. Didn't think of that till you mentioned it. It can't live there in that corner :( I'll try a low-light one that I currently have and see how that looks. Thank you!

What do you guys think of this new table lamp I just bought? I'm not sure it's a bit too small?

I prefer that lampshade Laurie Gordon posted above. But is this lamp on the right track?

Also, meant to say to LynnMN - I love your idea of a table lamp with an orange base that's more contemporary. I've looked high and low for such a thing for months!

Does anyone know where I could find a table lamp like that?

Thanks again for all the help and ideas :)

Ainelane, your room is charming. My favorite lighting site is lightingneyork You can chose the category that you are looking for. They have a huge number of table lamps. You could also go the art glass route and look at Kinzig lamps.

I like the new lamp- the base glows in the light. Ivan you try the palm in the corner to the right do the window seat?

The orange in the lamp may not be bold enough but Google and take a look at their whole line.

A taller plant in the corner with an uplight?

If not an ottoman then I'd suggest a glass and metal coffee table with modern vibes which will give a different feel to your couch and love seat, which I actually like. I would also suggest a more contemporary-looking lamp table to jazz up this space.

Right now you have basically two colors in this area. What would you think about an area rug that has those colors but also some other lively colors like turquoise or light blue? With the glass coffee table this might have quite an impact on your space.

There are so many lovely things in this room, the divided light windows, the arched details, the curved first stair step, the gorgeous fireplace. I like the sleek look of the new lamp you chose!

For me what keeps a room looking traditional instead of transitional are extraneous details. Like the turnings on the legs of the sofa and the tables. A few simple changes I'd make are replacing the sofa legs with simple bun or geometric feet, and displaying your wall art in very sleek frames. Instead of investing in a rug I'd suggest replacing the side table with a drum table, and the coffee table with a ottoman - again sleek and simple - i.e. no tufting. In the window seat area I'd remove the pillows entirely and look for a sculptural element like a large piece of pottery. For a light fixture an arched or tripod floor lamp. Absolutely nothing on the stone fireplace, but on the hearth -a gorgeous basket. For a plant in the corner, an indoor tree like a ficus. Sofa pillows in colorful textured solids and in stripes taken from the colors in the sofa.

Love the suggestions for new, modern lamps to replace the olde worlde looking ones.

i saw the wedge shape in your stone chimnay breast and would hang something across it nonetheless.

Does the end table serve both sofas? or just the one perpendicular to the fireplace.

It could be the photos but I find the room a little squished as if it needs to take a deep breath and expand a bit. I would move the fireplace facing couch out a little, move the other couch along and then put the end table on the other end with a really vibrant table lamp. Then you can get a funky floor lamp and put it between the two sofas (where the end table currently is).

I looked at the pictures and then started reading the comments and was amazed at what others noticed. Why? because all I can see is how the coffee and side tables are really driving the room and they just don't belong. Do you have a more contemporary coffee table in the house that you could just put there to see if it makes a difference.

The bones and details of the room are great and sure give you a lot to work with.

Well, I still think a lighter and warmer wall color would work. I mean, brown leather is pretty substantial and there are plenty of rooms with lighter wall color, perhaps a creamy beige or lighter khaki, perhaps something like Manchester Tan

I probably would also get a lighter looking coffee table.

Or something like Monroe Bisque. Look at this paint-color-for-hallway thread

Ainelane, I feel everything can stay in the room since, Imo, it's not the furnishings throwing things off, it's the drabness of the paint color. With a lighter color(neutral/warm base)the space will come alive and appear as though it's the sun bringing in the brightness, playing off the orange.

I understand your wanting a new lamp/lamps~easy fix and you don't have to break the bank. Again, just my opinion, but with the orange pillows/throw/small accessories, I wouldn't bring in any more of the bright color, such as with a lamp base. It'starting to become too matchy matchy~you don't want a furniture showroom look.

Your fireplace is absolutely beautiful(as is the room!),and makes a statement on it's own w/o any necessary art/tapestry/wall sculpture hanging above. I think it would be too much, especially if you add more color.

What a nice room. The fireplace is unique - I like it without anything covering its features. Do the can lights shine on it and highlight the texture? That must look very nice. If it were my room I would make this area as cozy and inviting as possible to draw people in to sit and talk, read and enjoy the fire.

I love the window seat but it seems cut off from the rest of the room. Is there a way to move the sofa's to open up the view from there? Perhaps put sofas facing each other and the chair sharing the side table and facing the fireplace? You could add a sofa table behind one sofa to hold lamp(s). Apothecary lamps are good to add light and not be too intrusive. You could get one in a similar finish to your fireplace surround.

I feel like there should be books in that room.

It would help to see how you have decorated adjoining rooms.

i haven't read all the responses, but window treatments would cozy up the room.

A tall skinny bookshelf in the empty corner, and WT's or my favorite suggestion the textile hanging over FP

You have so many great elements in your room but I also think the wall color isn't a good backdrop. There are some colors that glow and reflect light and there are colors that absorb light. In the photos, your wall color seems to be absorbing all the light in the room. The couches, the wood accent pieces and the wall color just blend together.

I also like the idea of window treatments. Cream curtains that work with the fireplace and the carpet would tie those elements together and break up the wall color.

Gorgeous space! To my untrained eye, the room feels bottom-heavy. How do you feel about window treatments? Dummy panels may be all you need. Perhaps add tall skinny art pieces flanking the arched windows and tall plants in the corners, etc. Something to draw the eye up. Love the floor lamps Starnold posted.

Have you thought about slipcovers. There are some nice ones now, and I think that some white or cream slipcovers would add a degree of neutrality to the rooms that would make it easier to decorate.... Adding small pops of color here and there would make it a lot brighter.

Have you considered replacing the side table with a standing lamp that has a table integrated? There are lots of lovely ones on line and then you could read and enjoy the room more often.

lamp plus table

I love your fireplace as is. Lovely detail. How about a grouping of 1960s glass fireplace vases against the neutral backdrop? Orange was a very popular color.

I've been under the weather for the last few days, so wasn't able to act on any of the additional suggestions until today.

Thank you so much to everyone for the feedback, pointing out both the good and the bad.

Today I moved a few things around. I decided to concentrate my efforts of lighting, as I think this will help us to enjoy the room more.

The new additions are just stand ins, while I look for the right lamps and plants etc. I will also look for better wall art by the love seat and go to Benjamin Moore to look for a warm neutral that's lighter for the walls. I also liked the suggestions to replace the several small accessories with larger ones. And also to try to incorporate the window seat into the room more somehow. I was thinking of trying more colorful cushions on it, to tie it in and make the eye travel back there more.

I will keep the points about the tables in mind for when it's time to look at new furniture.

Thank you again so much! I feel so much better about this room already! I will start a new thread if/when I have specific questions about lamps or pillows.

Thank you!!

oh, I also wanted to address what blfenton mentioned. I hear what you're saying about the furniture placement. I used to have the furniture spaced out more like you are describing. But, I found in order to use this room more, I needed to make a grouping close to the fire. So, this is all I could figure out to achieve that. I think down the road when I can get new tables, it will improve the situation a lot.

Thanks for your thoughts - I always enjoy reading your comments blfenton, and I think we live in the same city too :)

Not sure if this has been mentioned before, but I'd add a bookshelf and books in that little corner next to the window seat.

And again, I really like the orange touches and the green of the plants.

This may sound like a wild idea, but I saw lime green drapes used to great effect in a room that basically had no green elsewhere. It energized the room completely and gave it a very sophisticated vibe. I can't post it right now but will when I'm off work. Nothing I would have ever dreamt of doing, but I would now without hesitation if I hadn't just bought drapes in a neutral color. I suspect it would be a great counterpoint to your orange accessories.

Starnold:. Where does the first floor lamp come from?

Ainelain: one thing I just have to say is you have such a beautiful room to work with.

Hi Ainelane! No great decorating advice from me, but just saw your name and wanted to say hi. How's the kitchen remodel going? Any progress yet? I love your house and the orange accents. I do think painting everything including the front entryway the same in a light and fresh color will help a lot. I think I would paint that flat section that is on the ceiling that is going around the perimeter of the room the same color as the rest of the ceiling if that makes sense. Please keep us posted in the kitchen forum on your kitchen progress as well.

Hi rebunky!

You are always so friendly and kind! Thanks for asking about my kitchen reno. It's still not off the ground. I've spent so much time banging my head against the wall with my difficult room layout that I may have suffered brain damage.

I think I'm getting close though. It's going to have a few quirks, so I'm hesitant to post it on the kitchen forum. But I still lurk there everyday!

Nice to "see" you!